“We are facing a recurring situation, and just like two years ago, we will continue with the same determination and willingness to advance the partnership between the Azores and Ryanair. We keep channels of dialogue open, exploring all opportunities available to us,” stated the Secretary of Tourism, Mobility, and Infrastructure, Berta Cabral.
The official was speaking during the discussion of the Azores’ Plan and Budget for 2026, held this week at the Regional Assembly in Horta.
Ryanair announced on Thursday that it will cancel all flights to and from the Azores starting from March 29, 2026, justifying the decision with “high fees” and accusing the Portuguese government of “inaction” after a 120% increase in air navigation fees and the introduction of a two-euro travel tax.
Today, the Tourism and Mobility portfolio holder assured that the Regional Government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) maintains “channels of dialogue” but highlighted the importance of the tourist destination, revealing that the region “has just obtained the Level II Gold certification” for sustainability granted by EarthCheck.
“The recent Ryanair announcement presents us with new challenges, but it does not detract from the essential: the excellence of our destination and the quality of our product,” declared Berta Cabral.
In the debate, the PS/Azores criticized the lack of strategy for tourism, arguing that if the Regional Government “announces routes in the summer, it announces excuses in the winter.”
“How do you intend to improve air accessibility if you exhibit passivity, tranquility, and total inaction in the face of Ryanair’s withdrawal, which represents a severe setback in the mobility of Azoreans and a harsh blow to the tourism sector?” questioned socialist Marlene Damião.
The PSD, represented by deputy Rúben Cabral, argued that Ryanair is a “major promoter of the Azores destination,” warning of the need to keep the airline flying to the region.
“We must do everything within our power to continue having Ryanair, along with all airlines flying to the Azores,” he reinforced.
Meanwhile, Pedro Neves of PAN stated that the Azores cannot be “subservient” to Ryanair, declaring that “enough of airlines that play around with the region.”
On November 20, the Government of the Republic expressed “surprise” at Ryanair’s arguments for ending operations in the Azores, recalling that the fee on this route is the lowest in Europe and that the company has received tens of millions of euros in incentives.
ANA – Airports of Portugal stated that Ryanair’s announcement was a “surprise,” revealing that “recent conversations” were “aimed at increasing, not reducing” the offer.
